Results 22,781-22,800 of 24,376 for speaker:Jerry Buttimer

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: It was Senator Leyden who said that Members on that side of the House were not Trappist monks. Will the Minister of State give recognition to the role of local authority members by making provision for their inclusion in the membership of the board? Will he ensure that the majority of board members are from the charitable organisations? We must learn the lesson of what happened at FÁS...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I am referring to the provisions of the Charities Bill. The Bill relates to the activities of a vast array of organisations which come under an umbrella body which has done great work. I pay tribute to those efforts.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I ask the Minister of State to clarify the purpose of this section, which reads: "The Authority may take such steps as it considers appropriate to consult with persons whom it considers may be affected by the performance by it of its functions." I ask for an explanation of what is meant in terms of consultations with stakeholders. I am particularly concerned about the part which reads "may...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important that, under this legislation, there is compliance and proper procedures are in place. However, we must make allowances for training for charitable organisations to enable them to comply with the legislation. I hope that, as a consequence of this Bill, there will not be a prohibitive cost to charities in complying with the legislation because that would defeat the purpose of...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I wish to speak to amendment No. 29. The Minister of State and his officials are well aware of the issue of the scam involving pre-signed mass cards, which are sold in shops. Companies sell mass cards to newsagents, purportedly signed by priests, often missionaries from abroad. I compliment the Irish Missionary Union, particularly Father Moran, on his work on this issue. The cards are...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: The Senator's conscience must be at him.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: No, no.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: On that——

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I am just going to explain what I intend to do in light of what the Minister has said.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I am just going to say——

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I am learning every day. I will withdraw the amendment for Report Stage.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I take cognisance of what the Minister said. I appreciate that it is getting late and we have been here all day. However, this is an important issue. I do not agree with Senator Norris, by the way, regarding the apparitions at Lourdes and Knock.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: It is important to mention in this context that we have faith and we are all entitled to that. I do not agree with the Senator. The Minister of State's amendment to strengthen the Bill is probably a good one. We need to introduce an offence for those who purport to be collecting for charity, as is the case here. Go raibh maith agat.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Given what has happened with the Broadcasting Bill, with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the FÁS debacle, would it not be wise that we take away the power from the Minister to appoint members to the charity appeals tribunal and establish a new body to appoint them? I fully support the need to have on the tribunal those from a legal...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Given the decentralisation project, is it known where the location of the headquarters will be?

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I was hoping it would be Cork. I appeal to the Minister of State to locate it in Cork.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I will not dwell on Senator O'Toole's point, but it is important to strike a balance here. We can argue the merits and demerits of "shall" versus "may" but it is important that we protect people. Senator O'Toole correctly said we do not want spin put on certain events that may transpire later, but we must allow for the protection of people. None of us condone wrong-doing or irregularities,...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: If the Minister of State gives us a guarantee he will come back on this matter, we will reserve our position. He has not given us a clear, cogent reason. I am not a genius, but I am baffled.

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: I am absolutely baffled. The fundamental question is, of what is the Minister of State afraid. From what is he running? Is it, as Senator Norris rightly deduced, that Revenue is cracking the whip? Does the Minister of State fear organisations will be too vocal? A number of bodies were abolished or amalgamated in the budget. The amendments seek the advancement and promotion of human...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Committee Stage (4 Dec 2008)

Jerry Buttimer: Like Senator Alex White, I would be happy to let our amendment rest until Report Stage if the Minister of State would come back to Members with an explanation of the rationale for this. It is an important issue. It is not about politics; it is about the advancement and promotion of human rights. We will be happy to let it go to Report Stage if we get the rationale for and movement on it.